Solar attic pressurizer

ABSTRACT

The invention, Solar Attic Pressurizer is a unique and simple approach to a residential energy problem. The first and main purpose for the invention is to actively move air through the attic space in the most efficient means possible. The Department of Energy through their Energy Star program have stated that traditional active attic fans, solar and conventional can draw air out of your living space into your attic and out of your house. This increased the losses in energy both in cooling and heating which not only costs more in energy but also overworks the air conditioning equipment. This invention not only ventilates the attic space but uses pressure to reduce or eliminates losses from the living space to the attic that can occur with or without an active attic ventilation system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The invention of the, Solar Attic Pressurizer, came about as a result of the findings by Energy Star regarding conventional solar powered attic fans and active attic fans in general. The findings, www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=diy_attic_ventilation, state that active attic ventilation can actually increase the loads on air conditioning and thus raise electricity consumption.

This is due to the method of traditional attic ventilation. Air is effectually vacumed out of the attic creating a negative pressure in the attic space. This negative pressure in turn vacumes the air conditioned living space air into the attic.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

My invention, Solar Attic Pressurizer, actually draws cool shaded ambient air from the eve or soffit and blows this air into the attic space creating a positive pressure. This positive pressure not only forces the heated attic space air out of existing ridge and soffit vents but also reduces the natural losses of airconditioned pressurized air from the living space.

BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF DRAWING VEIWS BY NUMBER

1) 30-55 watt 12 volt nominal Solar Module.

2) 30′2 wire uv/heat resistant.

3) Solar Module connector.

4) Motor wire connector.

5) 4″ Diameter inline blower 12 VDC,120 CFM.

6) 4″ coil flex duct tubing (Same as dryer vent) expandable from 12″to 72″.

7) Tin manifold. Transitioning from 4″ Diameter round to 2″×6″ rectangle opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

All other active attic ventilation systems, solar or otherwise, have been designed to vacume air from the attic space. The Solar Attic Pressurizer is designed to blow air into the attic space and effectually force stagnant, hot attic air out of existing static ventilation and pressurize the attic space. Pressurizing the attic space creates a vapor seal between the living space and the attic. Sealing, by pressure, the living space from the attic space.

The main component of the invention is the solar module (1). The solar module must be between 30 and 55 watts of power per system. The solar module must be 12 volt dc nominal which translates to a Voc of 16-20 volts dc. Crystaline or thin film technologies are equally effective and may be used assuming the voltage is of acceptable range. Frame mounting of the module must be easily accomplished by using “Z” clips. A power cord of 2-wire UV/heat resistant wire #16awg minimum (2) 30 feet in length with a 2 pin locking electrical connector (3) must be installed on the solar module.

Another main component is the 12 volt dc inline 4″ blower (5). Easily available from manufacturers such as Attwood, Rule, and Sea Choice to name a few. Blower fan should be rated for up to 50 watts of power with an in system flow rating of over 100 CFM of air. Wire leads will have the matching connector installed to mate to the solar module wire lead (4). All existing blower fands and any future custom made blowers will have mounting feet to allow for a horizontal attachment to either joist or truss.

The 4″flexible duct tubing is readily available from both the marine industry and also used as a flexible dryer vent ducting (6).

The tin manifold will be a manufactured piece that transitions from a 4 inch round end to a 2 inch×6 inch rectangular end. The rectangular end must be a minimum length of 12 inches to ensure that the open end can be pushed well clear fo the header wall and into the eve/soffet area of the building (7). 

1. The claim of the invention, Solar Attic Pressurizer, is that using the balance of components as specified in the preceding descriptions a structures attic space may obtain a positive pressure situation and reduce or eliminate living space atmosphere to the attic space. The first step is placing a power source in the form of a 30-55 watt solar module on either the South or West face of the roof with acces to the attic for the power cord through existing attic ventalation. The second step is locating the maximum distance towards the North and East secion of the attic within 5 feet of the eve/soffit and mounting the blower aimed at the bottom section of the South West section of the attic. The next step is to push the rectangular section of the manifold over the header board and well into the soffit. At this point simply install the flexible duct over the round section of the manifold and the inlet side of the blower. Finally, plug in the electrical connectors between the solar module and the blower and as long as the sun is up the attic will be gaining pressure. This pressure forces circulation of attic air out of existing ventilation and also creates a pressure barrier between the living space and the attic space reducing or eliminating cooling and heating losses to the attic space. 